VIJAYAWADA: YSRC leaders saw a conspiracy behind the knife attack on party chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Thursday and alleged that the TDP and some top police officials were attempting to eliminate the Opposition Leader.
The Opposition party leaders also took serious objection to the remarks of DGP RK Thakur, who termed the attack an incident of “publicity-mongering”. They also raised suspicion over the claims of the officials that CCTV footage inside the airport was missing.
Speaking to the reporters from the hospital in Hyderabad where Jagan was undergoing treatment, YSRC MP V Vijaya Sai Reddy demanded that a fair and transparent probe be initiated after sidelining the DGP.
“The DGP seems to have lost his mind. Otherwise, how can a police head go to the press with premeditated and preconceived notions without holding any investigation?” he fumed. He also found fault with the allegations that the attacker was an admirer of Jagan. “The attacker tried to slit the Opposition leader’s throat. Due to God’s grace, our leader had a providential escape.”
Adding that he wasn’t making any political statements, he alleged that head of the intelligence wing AB Venkateswara Rao colluded with DGP Thakur and the TDP to hatch a conspiracy against Jagan.
“We have repeatedly made a request to beef up the security to the Opposition leader. However, AB Venkateswara Rao, who is a TDP worker, in collusion with the DGP, is conspiring against Jagan. Some police officials and the top TDP leadership have been trying to eliminate or hurt the Opposition leader. But, we want to clarify that it won’t happen,” he said. He also requested the State government to immediately beef up Jagan’s security and order a thorough probe into the assault.
Former MP PV Midhun Reddy raised doubts as to how an intruder could enter a high-security zone like an airport with a weapon. “We are unable to understand how the attacker got entry into the airport with a knife. When we asked for the CCTV footage, the officials concerned said it is unavailable. If an attack can be made in an airport, we are concerned about our leader’s safety when he is on padayatra,” he said.
Party spokesperson and Public Accounts Committee (PAC) member Ambati Rambabu too lambasted the DGP and the TDP government for stating that the airport security was under CISF.
“We take objection to the DGP making political remarks and making statements even before beginning the investigation, a trend started by TDP leadership,” he stated.
Reacting to TDP leaders’ claims of conspiracy theory Operation Garuda, Ambati said, “If the TDP leaders feel that the theory floated by film actor Sivaji is indeed true, they should ensure that Sivaji is arrested first as a part of an investigation.”
Cadre go berserk at Vizag airport
While AP Police claimed the Central Industrial Security Force was solely responsible for the entire security of the airport, the latter has denied any lapses from their side. CISF said its responsibility begins at only the Security Hold Area(SHA). This is where the 100 per cent checking of hand baggage and frisking of passengers happen. “Further facts will be brought out after the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) inquiry.” the agency said.